Steel 46SiCrMo6
EN 46SiCrMo6
46SiCrMo6 (1.8062) is a silicon-chromium-molybdenum spring steel from the EN alloy-steel family, used quenched and tempered for high fatigue strength.
Reference datasheet — 46SiCrMo6 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +QT condition
46SiCrMo6 tempers and conditions
46SiCrMo6 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. +QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Softest and most ductile delivery state — choose for cold heading, cold coiling and deep cold forming of torsion-bar blanks. | 430 | 710 | 18 | 210 HB | — |
Treated for high shearability | Hardness held below a shearability ceiling so bar/coil can be cold sheared or cropped without cracking the cut face. | 470 | 780 | 16 | 20 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
Annealed | Pick for straightening, drawing, machining or cold coiling of small sections before hardening. | 500 | 800 | 15 | 22 HRC | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine ferrite-pearlite/bainite structure for stock removal, ultrasonic inspection and predictable response to later hardening. | 640 | 1,000 | 13 | 31 HRC | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for bar that will be fully austenitized and hardened by the spring maker. | 650 | 1,050 | 11 | 34 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Hardened and tempered to specified core hardness | Through-hardened heavy sections (stabilizer/torsion bars) tempered to a guaranteed core hardness band, trading peak strength for reliable mid-radius properties. | 1,350 | 1,520 | 10 | 46 HRC | — |
+QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard service condition: oil/polymer quench from ~860–880 °C, temper 400–460 °C to 1600–2000 MPa for maximum spring fatigue and sag resistance. | 1,620 | 1,800 | 8 | 52 HRC | — |
Hardened | As-quenched martensitic state with a specified hardenability band — an intermediate stage; always temper before service because as-quenched toughness is very low. | 1,750 | 2,200 | 2 | 58 HRC | — |
What is 46SiCrMo6?
46SiCrMo6 (1.8062) is a silicon-chromium-molybdenum spring steel from the EN alloy-steel family, used quenched and tempered for high fatigue strength. In +QT it typically reaches 1620 MPa yield, 1800 MPa tensile, 8 % elongation and about 52 HRC, which suits automotive suspension springs, torsion bars and stabilizer bars made from bar, flats and coiling wire. Practical limits are low formability (score 10), poor weldability (score 12), low machinability (score 20) and a service ceiling near 250 °C. 50SiCrMo6 is the higher-carbon alternative for heavy-duty leaf and coil springs. 46SiCrMo6 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 46SiCrMo6 has a yield strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
What is 46SiCrMo6 used for?
- coil springs
- torsion bars
- stabilizer bars
Advantages
- High strength — 1,620 MPa (235 ksi), better than 98% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 45 MPa·√m (41 ksi·√in), worse than 90% of steel grades
46SiCrMo6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 46SiCrMo6-+QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
46SiCrMo6 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
46SiCrMo6 has a yield strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
46SiCrMo6 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 38 W/m·K (22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
46SiCrMo6 conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 46SiCrMo6 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
46SiCrMo6's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 46SiCrMo6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 46SiCrMo6
Is 46SiCrMo6 easy to machine?
Machine in +A/+AC condition (carbide, 90–140 m/min); in +QT at 50+ HRC use CBN/coated carbide, rigid setups and grinding for finish — avoid grinding burn which destroys spring fatigue life.
Can 46SiCrMo6 be welded?
Not recommended for load-carrying spring joints; if unavoidable, preheat 300–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumable and immediate post-weld temper — the HAZ hardens to >55 HRC and cold-cracks readily.
Can 46SiCrMo6 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot coil at 900–1000 °C or cold coil only in +A/+AC and then harden; oil/polymer quench from 860–880 °C, temper 400–460 °C, then shot peen and pre-set (scragging) to build compressive surface stress.
46SiCrMo6 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Cgives ~58 HRC as-quenched | 0.42 – 0.5 | 0.46 |
| Siraises temper resistance and relaxation resistance; promotes decarburization | 1.3 – 1.6 | 1.45 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Cr | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Modeep hardenability for thick bars, resists temper embrittlement | 0.2 – 0.3 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 46SiCrMo6?
Shot peen, phosphate + zinc-flake or epoxy powder coating is standard; avoid acid pickling and electroplating without a 190–220 °C hydrogen bake, and protect against surface decarburization during heat treatment.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 46SiCrMo6 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8062
How much does 46SiCrMo6 cost?
46SiCrMo6 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
46SiCrMo6 — frequently asked
What is 46SiCrMo6 used for?
46SiCrMo6 is typically used for coil springs, torsion bars and stabilizer bars. In short: highest-strength SiCrMo spring steel; 52 HRC after tempering; poor weldability and formability.
What is the yield strength of 46SiCrMo6?
46SiCrMo6 has a typical yield strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 46SiCrMo6 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades). Machine in +A/+AC condition (carbide, 90–140 m/min); in +QT at 50+ HRC use CBN/coated carbide, rigid setups and grinding for finish — avoid grinding burn which destroys spring fatigue life.
Can 46SiCrMo6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Not recommended for load-carrying spring joints; if unavoidable, preheat 300–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumable and immediate post-weld temper — the HAZ hardens to >55 HRC and cold-cracks readily.
What surface finishes work on 46SiCrMo6?
Shot peen, phosphate + zinc-flake or epoxy powder coating is standard; avoid acid pickling and electroplating without a 190–220 °C hydrogen bake, and protect against surface decarburization during heat treatment.
Can 46SiCrMo6 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot coil at 900–1000 °C or cold coil only in +A/+AC and then harden; oil/polymer quench from 860–880 °C, temper 400–460 °C, then shot peen and pre-set (scragging) to build compressive surface stress.
What is the maximum service temperature of 46SiCrMo6?
46SiCrMo6 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 46SiCrMo6 cost?
46SiCrMo6 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10089 — Hot-rolled steels for quenched and tempered springs: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2002)
- EN 10083-1/-3 — Steels for quenching and tempering (delivery conditions +A, +AC, +S, +N, +QT) — CEN (2006)
- EN 10027-2 — Numerical designation system for steels (material number 1.8062) — CEN (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (spring steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture (spring steel fatigue behaviour) — ASM International (1996)
- EN 13906-1 — Helical springs: design and calculation (E and G design values) — CEN (2013)
- Spring steel bar and wire grade datasheets (Si-Cr-Mo suspension spring steels) — Ovako / Sidenor / Gerdau special steel (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.